Archive for October, 2009
Movie Reviews
by Bill Ivory Larson on Oct.27, 2009, under Bill's Movie Reviews
It’s the End of the World As We Know It – a review of “2012″ – by Bill Ivory Larson
3.5 Buckets of Popcorn out of 4
I am such a sucker for disaster flicks. Bring on a trailer for films that feature plagues of locusts and angels fighting for humanity (the upcoming LEGION), asteroids hitting the earth (ARMAGEDDON and DEEP IMPACT), aliens invading (INDEPENDENCE DAY) or the world ending (I AM LEGEND and THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW) and I am so there.
And while I have been so let down in the past (the recent remake of POSEIDON was such a bad flick I want the two hours of my life back) the new end-of-days pic “2012″ didn’t let me down.
Put another way – the world blowed up real good!
Disaster movie maven Roland Emmerich (Independence Day, The Day After Tomorrow) crafts this apocalyptic sci-fi thriller following the prophecy stated by the ancient Mayan calendar, which says that the world will come to an end on December 21, 2012. When a global cataclysm thrusts the world into chaos, divorced writer and father Jackson Curtis (John Cusack) joins the race to ensure that humankind is not completely wiped out. Chiwetel Ejiofor, Danny Glover, Amanda Peet, Thandie Newton, and Oliver Platt round out the cast of this end-of-the-world thriller co-scripted by the director and his 10,000 B.C. writer/composer, Harald Kloser.
Don’t get me wrong, there are things wrong with this picture (i.e characters who die unnecessarily, some you don’t care about at all, a couple too many near escapes, etc.) but this film has two things going for it that make it worth your time and discussion afterward:
1) It’s running time of over two-and-a-half hours allows the film to take its time and take you from one situation to another without too many leaps of logic or faith. As special effects films go, the way the characters and situations unfold is more real because the filmmakers simply took their time to set them up properly.
2) Oliver Platt’s character raises interesting questions about who lives and who dies and why. Questions that I had after the film and questions on the lips of all who saw it in the same auditorium with me. Would only those with money survive? Should there be a lottery of all world citizens to see who lives or not? The film doesn’t make his character truly evil. Instead, he is the person making the hardest decisions of all and doesn’t apologize for them. And I have to say his is the character that makes you feel uncomfortable but gives you food for thought.
Definitely see this latest Roland Emerich end-of-the-world film on the big screen. It’s worth it just for the effects. And if the world does come to an end on December 21, 2012 (folks, it’s just the end of ONE Mayan calendar. They had many) I want a seat as good for that as I did for this.
Roland Emerich, meet Irwin Allen. Irwin, meet your heir apparent.
John Cusack … Jackson Curtis
Amanda Peet … Kate Curtis
Chiwetel Ejiofor … Adrian Helmsley
Thandie Newton … Laura Wilson
Oliver Platt … Carl Anheuser
Thomas McCarthy … Gordon Silberman (as Tom McCarthy)
Woody Harrelson … Charlie Frost
Danny Glover … President Thomas Wilson
Liam James … Noah Curtis
Morgan Lily … Lilly Curtis
Zlatko Buric … Yuri Karpov
Beatrice Rosen … Tamara
lexandre Haussmann … Alec
Philippe Haussmann … Oleg
Johann Urb … Sasha
MPAA: Rated PG-13 for intense disaster sequences and some language.
Runtime: 158 min
Fall is Falling -By Bill Larson
by Bill Ivory Larson on Oct.27, 2009, under My Daily Weight Loss Blog
Happy Friday, my friends. TGIF!!!! Well, the end of another work week. I am just back from my daily “I’m going to do four miles on the elliptical if it kills me” workout, which I usually do beginning at 8:00 in the morning most days. I have to say it really feels good to start the day knowing exercise is not only a permanent part of my days but also out of the way for the day.
Recently, I did a weight loss column that focused on hiding. I think there is always a panic that happens this time of year, when bigger people (me included) like to be able to hide in our igloos of bigger, warmer clothes to hide the extra pounds we pack on during the holidays. Bigger clothes, in themselves, are comfort zones and if you’ve read my column you will know how I feel about staying in a comfort zone.
I know you may or not believe this but the best looking clothes fit. The bigger something is doesn’t mean that it makes you look better. It makes you look bigger. Do not be afraid to look at your wardrobe and cast off what is too big in favor of something that is both warmer and fits well.
You are all incredible and know that I am right there with you on this battle of the bulge. I have my own Battle of the Ten to fight before getting back to my goal weight and it ain’t gonna help going into my favorite eating season. I LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE to eat Thanksgiving food. Just you guys wait for that column. You will almost be able to smell the turkey and trimmings.
But until then, boldly go into your closets and purge your fat clothes. Do not be afraid. As you put away summer clothes and bring out fall and winter just know that underneath those clothes is a star waiting to shine.
Memories of My Mother
by Bill Ivory Larson on Oct.27, 2009, under Memories of My Mother
JoAnn Larson, circa the 1960s, near Lake Michigan in Chicago
Page under construction…This page will be devoted to my personal memories of JoAnn Larson, my mom, who passed away on June 9, 2009 from pancreatic cancer. While it may sound like a downer, her life was rich and full and I will share with you some wonderful memories and photos of her (and of me) as I come across them
